Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BELLY, n.1
1. (See quot.)Ork. 1929 Marw.:
The membranous sheathing round a newly born foal. E.g. “The belly's braken” — -i.e. burst.
2. “A crab with the shell off and in its soft state, or just before” (Ib.).
[O.N. belgr, the skin of an animal taken off whole, hence skin bag (Zoëga). O.E. bylig, bęlg, leather bag or bottle (Sweet), later belly.]
